When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

Once famous throughout the league as a haven for misfits and rejects looking to resurrect their careers, the Raiders have for the last decade or more made an art from out of epically wrong personnel decisions.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Crime
Anonymous Discrimination? Wearing Masks at Protests Illegal in New York City

​Over the last month, masked Anonymous protesters have made a weekly date to demonstrate at BART stations in San Francisco. When the cops have moved to arrest some, it's usually been for refusing to obey an officers' orders, delaying traffic, or disturbing the safe operation of the railroad.

But it seems that Anonymous would have a much harder time conducting such a protest in the, say, New York City subway, as cops there have a weapon against protesters who conceal their faces.

An article in the Wall Street Journal this week outlines how a handful of masked protesters picketing Wall Street this week have been arrested for violating an obscure 1845 law against protesters wearing masks. How quaint.

New York's law dates back to 1845, when lawmakers tried to quell uprisings by tenant farmers who "used disguises to attack law enforcement officers," according to a later U.S. Court of Appeals ruling. A dip in the price of wheat left many in debt to landowner Stephen Van Rensselaer IV.

After Mr. Rensselaer moved to evict tenants, disgruntled farmers disguised themselves as "Indians," dressed in "calico gowns and leather masks" and attacked agents of the landlords. The court papers said the tactics adopted by these rebel groups ranged from "tarring and feathering" to murder, including a sheriff.

The law was amended in 1965 to prevent masked gatherings of two or more people, with a significant exception: "a masquerade party or like entertainment." It received substantial attention in 1999 when, on the basis of the law, the city rejected a request from splinter group of the Ku Klux Klan to hold a masked protest in Manhattan.

The piece had one other point of potential interest to Bay Area readers, namely that an Oakland man was among those arrested in the protest, for so aptly living up to a stereotype of Californians -- i.e., chalking a Gandhi quote on the sidewalk. Apparently, such civil disobedience doesn't fly in the Big Apple.

Oakland, Calif., native Jason Ahmadi, 26 years old, said he was issued a summons for "damage to the sidewalk" after scribbling a Gandhi quote on the concrete near Zuccotti Park.

"The cops asked me what other country I'd rather live in," he said. "I said the point was to make this country better."

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Slideshows

Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"